 "Cristiano Ronaldo remains central to Al Nassr’s plans amid ‘national project’ label")
It seems there can be a late twist in Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer tale. A few days after Ronaldo hinted that his the Al Nassr “chapter is over,” the club’s sporting director, Fernando Hierro, on Thursday shared that they are still locked in negotiations with the 40-year-old footballing superstar.
With the new-look FIFA Club World Cup lined up for next month and a new transfer window , Ronaldo has been linked with many clubs, including those from Brazil and Morocco.
Saudi may still keep national project’ Ronaldo
The striker has also been linked with Al Nassr’s rival Al Hilal, but Hierro said that the club is working towards agreeing to a contract extension.
“Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr runs until June 30. We will work to renew his contract so he can continue with us, and there are many clubs interested in signing him,” Hierro said.
It has been reported that Ronaldo has been asked to take a massive 52% pay cut to his €200 million per year salary at Al Nassr, which he is not willing to agree to. Also, the former Real Madrid player is frustrated with the lack of major trophies at the club. Al Nassr have failed to win the Saudi Pro League since Ronaldo joined them in January 2023.
Ronaldo finished as the top scorer in back-to-back Saudi Pro League seasons, but the club has also failed to make a mark in the AFC Champions League.
Hierro, however, feels that Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabia stay has a much larger purpose and dropped the biggest hint as to why they will do everything to retain him. As per Hierro, Ronaldo is a “national project”.
“Ronaldo’s presence from the beginning is a national project,” Hierro said. “Cristiano has opened up soccer in this country to the world. It’s phenomenal that he had the courage to come here, stay here, and open up the Saudi Arabian league to the world.”
Al Nassr is owned by the Public Investment Fund, which is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Hence, it is also rumoured that the royal family would not want Ronaldo to leave the country, and he is expected to sign a new extension ahead of 30 June.
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